Yes, government debt relief programs do exist. However, federal debt relief programs are only available for student loans.

Federal student loan relief programs are available at StudentLoans.Gov.

The key to getting a low monthly payment and the maximum amount of loan forgiveness is to qualify for an income-driven repayment plan.

The Pay As You Earn plan is a popular federal program that offers a low monthly payment and loan forgiveness.

The lower a person’s income and bigger their family size, the lower their consolidated monthly payment will be.

Students do need to recertify the Pay As You Earn and all of the income-based repayment plans every year, so if a person’s income changes so can their payment.

AFSLR Certified Student Loan Expert, Wesley Hendrickson, stated; “Don’t forget to recertify or you can lose your eligibility for loan forgiveness, and your payment can skyrocket. This is the most common mistake that I see students make. The next thing you know, your wages will be getting garnished, and credit score is shot.”

For credit card relief, government programs don’t exist. Credit card relief options available through third-party companies are available. Make sure the company you choose is IAPDA Certified and highly rated by the Better Business Bureau.

A person can also work directly with their credit card company, but the savings will be minimal compared to what a person can save with a debt relief program. Your credit card company may temporarily reduce your payments and interest, but it will only be temporary.

Most debt relief companies across the nation offer debt settlement services, but this program comes with negative consequences.

A person’s credit score can be negatively impacted and credit card lawsuits can occur while on a debt settlement program. In only about 2% of all cases, credit card companies will sue a person while on a debt settlement program. While this isn’t a large percentage of lawsuits happening, it is something that you need to beware of and ready for.

Before you join a debt settlement program, make sure to understand ALL of the potential negative consequences. Do your research and make sure the company helping you is transparent and has reputable credentials.

How debt validation works

Debt validation can allow a person to legally stop paying a debt and walk away from the debt without paying a dime to the debt collection company and only having to pay the debt relief company’s fees.

Debt relief programs that improve your credit score

No debt relief program will improve your credit score unless you get a debt relief loan to pay off your credit cards.

Since all plans can have an adverse effect on credit scores; debt validation comes with credit repair, aiming to get the debt and it’s associated negative marks completely removed from the clients’ credit reports by the end of the program.

Rick Sorrentino, IAPDA Accredited Counselor, advises consumers; “If you can afford to pay at least minimum monthly payments, try to find another way to resolve your debt besides using debt settlement or debt validation. These programs should only be used as a last resort, to save a person from having to file for bankruptcy.”